Health Articles

Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopy is a form of minimally invasive or keyhole surgery. In this type of surgery, a surgeon can examine the inside of the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions to insert tools and instruments. A laparoscope, which has a camera and light at the tip is passed through the incision and used to relay images of the internal structures to a TV monitor.

Laparoscopic Surgery Risks

Laparoscopic surgery is now widely used in preference to traditional open surgery due to the advantages the procedure offers over open surgery such as reduced bleeding, increased recovery time and shorter hospital stay. However, laparoscopy is still associated with a number of risks and some of these are described below.

Laparoscopic Surgery History

Laparoscopic surgery has been developed over many decades and it is difficult to pinpoint one individual as pioneer of the approach. It was in 1902 that Georg Kelling from Dresden in Germany performed laparoscopic surgery using dogs and in 1910, Hans Christian Jacobaeus from Sweden used the approach to operate on a human.

Laparoscopic Surgery Procedures

Laparoscopic surgery is a procedure that is used to examine the inside of the abdomen, without a large incision having to be made. The procedure is commonly used to diagnose and treat conditions of the abdomen and pelvis and is a useful tool in the fields of gynecology, gastroenterology and urology.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is also called minimally invasive surgery, keyhole surgery or bandaid surgery. Laparoscopic procedures can be performed using small incisions of around 0.5 to 1.5 cm that can be made far away from the surgical site. Small, thin surgical instruments can then be passed through the incision and threaded through to the operational site.

The DASH-Sodium study

The DASH sodium study was conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) after completion of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study.

What is the DASH Diet?

In this diet, the acronym “DASH” stands for “Dietary approaches to Stop Hypertension.” This diet has been formulated especially for people who are at risk of high blood pressure or who already have the condition. The diet is intended to support the medical therapies such individuals may have been prescribed and to benefit their overall health.

ACIMAX® TABLETS (Omeprazole magnesium) Consumer Medicine Information

Beta-Carotene Side Effects

Until recently, beta carotene was not thought to be toxic to humans. High levels of plasma beta carotene (hypercarotenemia) have not been associated with adverse side effects apart form causing a yellowing of the skin (carotenodermia) that eventually resolves.

What is Beta-Carotene?

Beta carotene is a member of the carotenoid family belonging to the isoprenoid compounds, which are polyunsaturates with antioxidant properties. The formula for beta carotene is C40H56 and it can exist as cis- or trans-isomers. Most of the naturally-occurring and synthesized forms of beta exists as the all-trans isomer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Epidemiology

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States and Australia and was first described by Arthur Jacob in 1827. The condition was first referred to as a histopathological entity in 1903, by Edmund Krompecher who believed that the cancer arose from basal cells in the epidermis.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Prognosis

Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common skin cancers in America and Australia and incidence is also on the rise in the UK. This rise is thought to be attributable to an increase in exposure to UV rays from the sun.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatments

Basal cell carcinoma is highly localized and very rarely spreads, meaning that treatment can achieve a cure rate of almost a 100%. Some of the methods for treatment include surgical and nonsurgical approaches.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in the United States and Australia. Incidence is also on the rise in the United Kingdom. The most significant causative factor that has been associated with basal cell carcinoma is excessive and long term exposure to ultraviolet light radiated by the sun.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Pathophysiology

Basal cell carcinomas are slow-growing cancers. They typically appear as elevated or flat lesions present on the sun-exposed parts of the body such as the face, scalp, chin, neck or back.

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer, affecting over 1 million Americans each year and accounting for 75% of all skin cancers. This type of cancer has a 95% cure rate, but may become life threatening if left untreated.

Infertility Ethics

Infertility is estimated to affect around one fifth of couples in the UK. The two main procedures used to treat infertility are in-vitro fertilization (IVF), where fertilization of a woman’s egg is performed outside of her body and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Infertility Psychological Effects

Although the cause of infertility is generally physiological, possible resulting stress and heartache can have a huge psychological impact.

Infertility Treatments

Infertility is a common problem, affecting between 10 and 15% of couples in the U.K and U.S.

What is Infertility?

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after a year of unprotected and unrestricted intercourse.